THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The Town of Fort Smith has honoured two residents as the community's citizen and elder of the year.

Mabel Heron, a life-long resident of Fort Smith, has been honoured as the community's Elder of the Year. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Plus, the Paul Currie Volunteer of the Year Award was presented for the first time.

Juneva Green was recognized as the town's Citizen of the Year for her many contributions to the community.

Green said it was a "total surprise" when she was named the recipient of the award during Canada Day celebrations on July 1, and she appreciated receiving the honour.

She noted there are a lot of people in Fort Smith who help out the community.

Among other things, Green helps out at the ski club, the animal shelter, St. John's Anglican Church and Mary Kaeser Library, and even leads story time for preschoolers every Monday morning.

"Anywhere anybody needs me, they know they can call on me," said the retired teacher, who has lived in Fort Smith since 1977.

Mabel Heron, who was named Elder of the Year, was very happy with that news.

"I'm glad that I got recognized," said the 76-year-old, who was born in Fort Smith and is the mother of nine children.

Mayor Brad Brake said the town received a great letter from Heron's family describing everything she has done for them.

All the awards were presented by the Town of Fort Smith based on nominations from the community.

That includes the Paul Currie Volunteer of the Year Award, which went to the Fort Smith Ambulance Service and the Fort Smith Volunteer Fire Department.

Brake said the award recognizes the hard work done by the members of both organizations.

"We provide it with heartfelt thanks," he said of the new award, noting it's a great way to highlight volunteers in the community and the many things they do.

The award is also special in that it is named in memory of Paul Currie, a volunteer who died earlier this year.

"It was a great honour to get the Paul Currie Volunteer of the Year Award," said Tony Jones, co-ordinator of the Fort Smith Ambulance Service. "Paul was a great member of both the ambulance department and the fire department."

Brake said town council felt it was appropriate to name the new award in memory of Currie, considering he was a long-time volunteer with the Town of Fort Smith and also served his country as a member of the armed forces.

"It was really service above self with Paul," noted the mayor. "That was how it was for Paul."